Silver Coins Available Through Goldco
Goldco lists silver coins including the American Silver Eagle and its proof version, the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf, and the British Britannia, plus silver bars and many themed and commemorative coins. Not every silver coin it sells is IRA eligible (Goldco marks at least one as not eligible), and premiums on silver vary widely, so confirm both eligibility and price per ounce for each product.
The Main Silver Coins on Goldco's List
American Silver Eagle
The official silver bullion coin of the United States, struck by the U.S. Mint in one troy ounce of .999 fine silver. It falls under the statutory American Eagle exception in 26 U.S.C. 408(m) and also meets the .999 standard. Goldco lists both the bullion version and a proof version. The proof version is struck with special dies and carries a higher premium. Our American Silver Eagle guide covers specifications and history.
Silver Maple Leaf
Issued by the Royal Canadian Mint in .9999 fine silver, the Silver Maple Leaf is one of the most widely traded silver bullion coins. The mint has added security features to recent issues. See the Silver Maple Leaf guide.
Britannia
The Royal Mint's silver Britannia is a British legal-tender bullion coin. Current issues are .999 fine. See the Silver Britannia guide.
Themed and commemorative coins
Goldco also lists a large range of themed and commemorative silver coins. These are designed around particular subjects or series and are usually sold at higher premiums than standard bullion.
Silver bars
Bars generally offer more silver per dollar than coins, because they cost less to produce per ounce. For IRAs, bars must be .999 fine and from an accepted refiner. See silver bars.
Why You Must Confirm Which Silver Coins Qualify
Goldco sells some products specifically for direct purchase, and it marks at least one silver coin on its site as not IRA eligible. A coin being sold by a company that handles IRAs does not make it eligible. Eligibility depends on:
- Fineness. Silver bullion generally must be .999 fine, with the separate American Eagle exception.
- Product type. Collectibles such as most numismatic coins are excluded.
- Custodian acceptance. Custodians may have their own lists and requirements, such as original mint packaging for proofs.
Before any IRA purchase, ask Goldco to confirm in writing that each product is eligible. If an ineligible item were placed in an IRA, the purchase could be treated as a distribution. See which silver coins are IRA eligible.
Premiums on Silver: Why They Matter More
Silver's low price per ounce means fixed minting, shipping, and distribution costs form a larger share of a coin's price than they do for gold. As a result, silver premiums are often higher in percentage terms. A few ways to stay aware of premiums:
- Calculate price per ounce. Divide the price by the silver content in troy ounces (one troy ounce equals 31.1035 grams).
- Compare to spot. Check the current spot price from a public source at the time of your quote.
- Compare against a benchmark. Ask what a standard Silver Maple Leaf or bar costs per ounce, and compare any themed or proof coin against it.
- Think about resale. Ask what the bid price would be today for the same coin. The gap shows what you would lose if you sold immediately.
Our premiums and spreads guide explains the math.
Silver's Market Profile
Silver is used heavily in industry. The U.S. Geological Survey lists major uses including electrical and electronic components and photovoltaic cells. This industrial demand, combined with individual buying of coins and bars, can make silver more volatile than gold. Some people hold silver as a potential hedge against inflation or to diversify; others prefer gold's lower volatility. See silver and inflation for a balanced view. Past price movements do not predict future ones.
Holding Silver in a Retirement Account
For silver held in a self-directed IRA, an independent insured depository stores the coins, and recurring custodian and storage fees apply. Goldco's published fee statement is below. Because silver is bulky per dollar, ask how storage is priced. Our silver with Goldco page covers the account side.
Gold IRA Fees
The required minimum purchase at Goldco to start a gold IRA is $25,000. Goldco’s preferred Custodian charges a flat annual account service fee which includes a one-time IRA account set-up fee of $50. as well as a $30 wire fee. Annual maintenance is $100, and storage is $150 for segregated storage or $100 for non-segregated storage.
Fees for gold storage and custodianship can vary depending on the company you select to handle these services (required by the IRS, as all IRA assets must be managed by a custodian). Depending on the Custodian, storage fees can range from $10 to $60 per month, or as a percentage of assets, from 0.35% to 1% annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the proof American Silver Eagle a good choice for an IRA?
It may be eligible, but it carries a higher premium than the bullion version. Compare price per ounce and resale bids before choosing.
Which Goldco silver coin is not IRA eligible?
Goldco marks it on its own product listings. Ask for written eligibility confirmation on every coin rather than relying on a list that may change.
Are silver bars cheaper than coins?
Usually per ounce, yes. Bars trade with less recognition than sovereign coins, so consider resale too.
Where can I read more about Goldco overall?
See the Goldco review.